Note [2:2:7:1]1. As to this metaphor ('opening' strength or the like), comp. VIII, 5, 21. uta nah divya'h ishah ... apa dva'raiva varshathah, and the passages collected by Dr. Hirzel, Gleichnisse and Metaphern im Rig-veda (Leipzig, 1890), 103.

Verse 8.

Note [2:2:8:1]1. The third Pada is repeated in X, 11, 5.

Verse 9.

Note [2:2:9:1]1. The milch-cow of course is the prayer.

Note [2:2:9:2]2. Ishani seems to be an infinitive like parshani neshani tarishani (Delbruck, Altindisches Verbum, 227; Neisser, Bezzenberger's Beitrage, XX, 43). I believe it to come from the root ish, 'to incite.' As to the syntactical peculiarities of these infinitives, comp. Delbruck, Altindische Syntax, 416.

Verse 11.

Note [2:2:11:1]1. Ishay is a denominative from ish, as urgay is derived from u'rg (comp. Asvalayana Srautasutra V, 7, 3).